What to Know about Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile Dysfunction, also commonly known as impotence, occurs when men cannot gain a strong, lasting erection to effectively have intercourse. Although insufficient erections can commonly occur in men occasionally, if the problem arises regularly over a period of several months then it could be due to ED.

There are various causes of ED that stem from physical issues which can include hormonal imbalances, diseases of the cardiovascular system, injuries to the pelvis or spine, diabetes, neurological system issues, poor circulation and atherosclerosis. Psychological issues can also cause ED although nearly two-thirds of cases are of a physical nature. Psychological problems include depression, anxiety over performance, guilt and stress.

ED stemming from health issues occurs more regularly in men as they age due to declining health while younger men are more apt to experience ED due to psychological problems.

The PDE5 inhibitor sildenafil citrate was the first Erectile Dysfunction drug of its kind to be approved for prescription use in the form of Viagra in order to effectively treat the disorder. This medication helps to relax veins in the penis so that a greater supply of blood can reach it, causing erection in men who are already experiencing sexual excitement.

How Viagra Is Taken

One Viagra pill (female viagra for her) made by the drug company Pfizer is taken orally between 30 minutes and an hour before sexual relations.

Sildrenafil can be taken with or without eating. However, fatty foods and alcohol can decrease the desired effects of the medication. Only one Viagra pill should be taken within a 24-hour period.

How to Identify ED Pills Containing Sildrenafil

Both brand name Viagra and generic tablets are identified by their unique shape and color. Pills containing sildrenafil have a diamond shape and are blue in color. They come in strengths of 25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg.

Brand Viagra tablets have the name PFIZER and VGR plus the dosage imprinted on opposite sides. Medication containing the active ingredient sildrenafil citrate comes in packages containing pills numbering from 2 to a dozen.

Men Who Should Avoid Using Sildrenafil

There are various circumstances that exist which can prevent men from taking Viagra. Those with severe conditions of the heart, liver, or kidneys should avoid taking the drug.

Also, patients taking prescription medications containing nitrate drugs for pains of the chest or heart regulation should not ingest sildrenafil because it can react adversely with them.

You should discuss all medical problems and history with your doctor before taking Viagra.

How Many Men Are Affected by ED?

If you are experiencing Erectile Dysfunction, you are not alone. Studies have revealed that as high as 30 percent of males in the world experience some degree of ED.

American males with ED number around 30 million and those in the UK suffering from the condition number approximately 2.3 million.

ED Is More Prominent In Older Men

Erectile Dysfunction occurs in men of all ages. However, it becomes more prominent as men age.

Impotence affects roughly 70 percent of males over the age of 70. Approximately half of those suffering from the disorder are age 40 to 65. Around five to ten percent of men under the age of 40 have some level of Erectile Dysfunction.

Options for Treating Erectile Dysfunction

Viagra is the leading ED drug option. This is mainly due to it being the first ED medication approved to treat the disorder in 1998. The Pfizer company discovered that sildenafil citrate improved blood flow to the penis by extending the effects of nitric oxide. This chemical triggers erections when it is released, but sufferers of ED have nitric oxide blocked which hinders erection performance. Nearly 90 percent of patients report the effectiveness of Viagra for sexual enhancement.

Other oral ED medications which belong to the class of drugs known as PDE5 inhibitors also exist. However, Levitra and Cialis are the two most prominently used after Viagra.

Both Levitra and Viagra last for about four or five hours after being taken, but the effects of Cialis can continue for as long as 36 hours. Tadalafil, the active ingredient in Cialis, is also extremely safe with users experiencing both fewer and less severe side effects.

The advantage of taking Levitra with its active ingredient vardenfil is that it produces effects in less time than the other ED medications, working in a 10 to 15 minute period after ingestion. Levitra is also considered extremely safe to use, with few or no side effects. Both Levitra and Cialis can be taken with alcoholic drinks and foods containing fats without reducing effectiveness while Viagra cannot.

If Viagra does not provide the results that you are expecting, you can talk to your doctor about these other oral ED drug options.

How to Obtain Viagra

Viagra is a prescription medication that can be purchased at local pharmaceutical stores or through internet pharmacy shops.

A large number of men choose to buy Viagra or generic sildenafil online because they are ashamed of speaking with their doctors about issues with obtaining erections. The internet provides a discrete way to obtain Viagra and other ED drugs.

However, because the authenticity of stores selling Viagra online cannot be easily verified, unauthentic versions of the medication are often sold. For this reason, it is best to purchase online Viagra through reliable internet sources that have a good reputation.

How Much Does Viagra Cost?

The average price for authentic Viagra manufactured by Pfizer is between $10 and $12 for each pill. Generic versions of the drug are often cheaper.

Viagra Is a Prescription Drug

You must possess a prescription from a medical doctor in order to purchase sildenafil citrate. You can find Viagra for sale through online websites that do not require a prescription. However, this route of obtaining the ED medication is not recommended because you cannot verify the contents of such drugs and adverse reactions could occur.